Belgium faces a troubling rise in bank card fraud, highlighted by the recent trial of four young suspects aged between 20 and 22. These individuals, including Surinamese and Bulgarian nationals, have been held since September 2024 after an alert Hasselt gas station attendant reported suspicious purchases of paysafecard vouchers worth hundreds of euros. The case came to light on 2025-06-03 21:09:00, drawing attention to the sophisticated scams targeting vulnerable citizens.
- Young suspects arrested for fraud in Hasselt
- Used paysafecard to avoid bank traceability
- Extracted victim data from Telegram, Signal apps
- Targeted elderly with fake urgent bank calls
- Victims lost up to €41,000 remotely
- Prosecutor demands prison and fines, verdict pending
The accused used smooth-talking tactics to deceive elderly victims across several Belgian towns, from Oostende to Hasselt. They convinced victims to hand over bank cards and PINs, then swiftly raised withdrawal limits to empty accounts. The investigation uncovered damning digital evidence, including photos and chats boasting about their illicit gains.
How did these fraudsters operate so effectively, and what can Belgians learn from this case? The following fast answer summarizes the key local impact.
What makes this fraud case particularly alarming is the combination of digital savvy and personal manipulation. The suspects didn’t just rely on online schemes—they physically collected cards and even convinced victims to hand over jewellery. This raises important questions about awareness and prevention:
- How can elderly Belgians better protect their bank details from scammers?
- What role can alert citizens and frontline workers play in early detection?
- Are current penalties sufficient to deter such crimes?
As the court prepares its verdict on 17 June, Belgians are urged to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity immediately. Could increased community support and education be the key to stopping these scams before they start?
